As they walk through the grand halls, Kaito bombards Hermes with a flurry of questions. "So, is the food actually good up here? Do you have any music, or is it all just classical? And...do you guys watch us all the time or only when we pray? Because if you watch us in the shower, that's definitely weird. Oh, and why are you the only god we've seen that's by themselves? Aren't gods supposed to hang out together or something?"
Hermes clenches his jaw, clearly irritated. After one more question, he finally snaps, "That's so rude! Of course, I have friends—I'm just very busy. Unlike mortals, I actually have a lot of responsibilities! Now, if you could just let me do my job and guide you to Odin's Hall in peace, I'd appreciate it."
Kaito grins sheepishly but stays quiet, sensing he might have pushed Hermes a bit too far. Raiden and Zohar exchange amused glances but follow in silence, taking in the grandeur of the heavenly architecture as they continue their journey to Odin's Hall.
The celestial realm was even more vast and wondrous than Raiden, Zohar, and Kaito could have imagined. As they followed Hermes through the heavenly expanse, their eyes widened with awe. For thirty minutes, they traversed a landscape that felt like something out of their wildest dreams—a sprawling kingdom of light and splendor, where marble spires touched the sky and lush gardens stretched as far as the eye could see. The air shimmered with a golden hue, and a faint, melodic hum seemed to rise from the ground itself, filling the space around them with a sense of peace and solemnity.
All around them, they passed landmarks they recognized from ancient texts, mythological stories, and holy scriptures—places they never thought they would see. A monumental golden gate stood to their left, engraved with symbols they couldn't read but instinctively felt the importance of. Raiden, recalling stories from his childhood, whispered, "Isn't that the Gate of Paradise?" Kaito, ever the curious one, nodded excitedly, already eager to ask Hermes a hundred questions about everything they were seeing.
But they kept their questions to themselves. Even Kaito had started to sense Hermes' rising irritation. Hermes had already made it clear that he had no patience for endless questions, snapping at Kaito just minutes before when he'd asked whether gods ever ate regular food or if it was all ambrosia and nectar up here. Kaito's follow-up about whether the gods could see humans all the time or only when they prayed had earned him an exasperated sigh, so the three of them walked in silence now, absorbing the grandeur of their surroundings with wide-eyed fascination.
Still, Kaito couldn't entirely contain himself. He occasionally glanced at Hermes with a look that clearly communicated he was bursting with curiosity. At one point, Kaito opened his mouth to speak, but Zohar quickly nudged him, giving him a look that said, "Not now." Kaito sighed but obediently closed his mouth. The last thing they needed was to annoy Hermes any further, especially as they were nearing their destination.
As they walked, the trio noticed that the path was becoming narrower, the structures around them taller and more imposing. To their right, they spotted what looked like a massive amphitheater, filled with beings clad in armor, practicing what seemed to be some kind of celestial martial arts. Gods of war, Zohar thought with a shiver, recognizing some of the symbols painted on their shields.
Just beyond the amphitheater, a magnificent river gleamed like liquid crystal, its surface so clear they could see through to its white, smooth stones. A grand bridge arched over the river, seemingly crafted from the finest silver, with statues of winged figures on either end. Kaito almost stopped to take it all in, but Hermes motioned for them to keep up.
As they crossed the bridge, Raiden couldn't resist anymore. He whispered, "Do you think we'll see anyone we know here? Gods we've read about?"
Zohar nodded, his eyes fixed on a statue ahead of them. "We already have. That's Freya over there. I'd recognize those Valkyries anywhere."
Kaito glanced in the direction Zohar was pointing and blinked in surprise. The figure stood with a powerful presence, wings stretching out behind her, her hand resting on the hilt of an ornate sword. She seemed almost alive, the wind tugging at her long, braided hair. He could have sworn he saw her blink, but when he looked again, the statue was still.
After a few more minutes of silent walking, Hermes came to a sudden halt. They found themselves before a massive stone building, its doors easily towering over them. Carvings of wolves and ravens adorned the ancient wood, and runes they couldn't decipher ran along the edges, glowing faintly as if filled with some ancient power.
Hermes turned to face them, crossing his arms with a small smirk. "Welcome," he announced, "to the most hellish place in the heavens—Odin's Hall."
Raiden felt a shiver run down his spine. The hall had an aura of raw, untamed energy that contrasted sharply with the serene beauty they had passed earlier. It was as if they'd stepped from paradise into the heart of a storm. He could almost hear the rumble of thunder within the walls, like the growl of some massive, sleeping beast.
Kaito looked up at the imposing doors, his mouth slightly agape. "This is where we're training?" he asked, voice barely a whisper.
Hermes nodded, clearly enjoying their reactions. "Odin's Hall isn't for the faint of heart. Only the bravest, strongest warriors train here, those who are prepared to face the darkest challenges. It's where the Einherjar, the chosen warriors of Odin, hone their skills."
Zohar took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He had always considered himself fearless, but something about the hall made him feel small and vulnerable. "What exactly are we going to do here?" he asked, his voice steady but his hands clenched.
Hermes raised an eyebrow. "You're going to learn to control the gifts you've been given. If you thought facing Lucifer was tough, then brace yourselves. This is only the beginning. The Einherjar are merciless trainers. They won't go easy on you, and neither will Odin's Hall. But if you make it through, you'll be prepared for whatever comes next."
Kaito, despite the anxiety gnawing at him, couldn't help but feel a thrill at the challenge. "Do you think we'll meet Odin himself?" he asked, eyes gleaming.
Hermes shrugged. "That depends on how well you do. Odin doesn't waste time on the weak. But I'd be more worried about the trials themselves than meeting him. Odin's Hall has been known to break the spirits of even the most determined."
As Hermes pushed open the massive doors, a wave of cold air swept over them. The interior was shrouded in shadows, lit only by flickering torches that lined the walls. The air was thick with the scent of pine and something metallic, like iron. Raiden took a step inside, and the floor creaked under his foot. He glanced back at Zohar and Kaito, who were both hesitating at the threshold.
Zohar swallowed hard but took a step forward, following Raiden. "We've come this far," he said, trying to sound confident. "Might as well see what's in store."
Kaito gave them both a determined nod, and together, they walked into the hall, the doors closing behind them with a deep, resonant thud. The echoes lingered in the air, almost like the low growl of some ancient creature.
Inside, the hall stretched endlessly, with walls that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. Shadows danced around them, and they could just make out the sound of distant voices chanting, their words indistinct but full of power.
Hermes lingered just outside, watching them go. "Good luck," he called out, a hint of a smile in his voice. "You're going to need it."
As they ventured deeper into Odin's Hall, Raiden, Zohar, and Kaito braced themselves for whatever trials lay ahead, each of them silently vowing not to be the first to fall. They knew that this was only the beginning, and that they would need every ounce of strength and courage to survive what was to come.